Manual ExposureInstruction

When working in a priority mode, you are tied to what the camera interprets for light and visual information.When you work in Manual mode, you are overriding the camera capabilities of achieving a base gray exposure.ALL Automatic MODES take the light that the camera sees in your viewfinder, reviews it, changes either the aperture, shutter speed or ISO (depending on which auto mode you are using) to create an exposure that is BASE gray (gray card gray). If your scene is black, your camera will lighten the scene to make it grayIf your scene is white, your camera will darken the scene to make it whiteWorking in manual mode can take some getting used to, but it allows you to create an more accurate image. Accuracy is key in reducing the amount of post-processing, digital aberrations in exposure adjustments as well as awkward shifts in over all exposure.The key to creating an accurate exposure is

A. Understanding where your light meter is reading and approximating what tone it is set to

B. Pointing your light meter to a subject that is base gray and adjusting your exposure elements to read "0".

Do not overthink the manual exposure process. It can be intimidating at first, but understanding the language the camera is speaking is key to making a successful image.

Manual Exposure AssignmentFor this project, consider what we discussed in class about Manual exposure

if you have questions watch the videos below.

Your project is to shoot at least three different scenes:1. darker than base2. lighter than base3. Base/average light situation

Consider where the exposure should register on the light meter.

Expose each scene, over exposed, under exposed and on base exposure (O)We will evaluate the different zones for your different exposures so you can see how to accurately record an image instead of relying on Automatic mode.

You should be photographing these images in Manual mode as we discussed in class.For more information on manual exposure: research online, or follow a few of these links.